Rotating advertising display

ABSTRACT

A slowly rotating knockdown advertising display simulates a fan and comprises removable and replaceable fan blade simulating members in form of advertising signs which can be read as the blades rotate. The device is powered by a battery operated motor. The motor, in one form of the invention, is provided with an &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;on&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;off&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; switch. The display comprises components which can be easily shipped in knockdown condition and assembled upon delivery.

United States Patent Moss [54] ROTATING ADVERTISING DISPLAY [72] Inventor: Jerome A. Moss, 333 West End Ave., New

York City, NY. 10023 [22] Filed: Mar. 27, 1970 211 Appl. No.: 23,345

[52] US. Cl ..40/33, 40/ 1 26 [51] lnLCl. [58] Field of Search ..40/126, 128, 33; 4l6/170173; 415/122; 417/411 I56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 544,405 8/ 1 895 Fleece ..416/170 741,107 10/1903 Burnes.... .....4l6/170 3,231,995 2/1966 Anthony. ....40/128 3,031,784 5/1962 Stein ..40/128 51 May 30,1972

55,625 6/1866 Crane "416/172 95,825 10/1869 Reynolds.. 416/173 X 864,265 8/1907 Rosenberg... 416/171 2,027,844 1/1936 Skolfield ...4l6/ l 70 1,532,402 4/1925 Hall ..416/170 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-Richard Carter Attorney-J. B. Felshin [5 7] ABSTRACT A slowly rotating knockdown advertising display simulates a fan and comprises removable and replaceable fan blade simulating members in form of advertising signs which can be read as the blades rotate. The device is powered by a battery operated motor. The motor, in one form of the invention, is provided with an on and off switch. The display comprises components which can be easily shipped in knockdown condition and assembled upon delivery.

16 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAY 30 m2 SHEET 10F 2 Jmwe 4.5/05:

N VEN TOR PATENTEUmao 1912 SHEET 2 OF 2 FIG. 8

INVENTOR. JEQOME 4. M05! g q g FIG.7

FIG.6

ROTATING ADVERTISING DISPLAY This invention relates to a rotating advertising display device which simulates a fan.

An object of this invention is to provide a display device of the character described comprising a plurality of radiating arms on which radiating fan simulating blades carrying the advertising matter, are detachably mounted.

Another object of this invention is to provide a display device of the character described in which the radiating arms are detachably clamped together at an axis and in which the clamped axis is enclosed in an assembled hub housing to make for a neat appearance.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a display device of the character described with a battery powered motor assembly to rotate the blades slowly enough so that they can be easily read by prospective purchasers of the advertised products or services.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a display device of the character described comprising a preassembled motor assembly comprising a battery operated motor having an output shaft, and means to detachably clamp the radiating arms on which the fan simulating blades are mounted, to each other and to said output shaft.

A further object of this invention is to provide a display device of the character described in which the battery operated motor is provided with an on" and off switch to easily start or stop rotation, as desired.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an easily assembled knockdown display device which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, which shall comprise few and simple parts, which can be easily hung, which shall be safe in use, and yet practical and efficient to a high degree.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of the invention will be indicated in the following claims.

FIG. I is a perspective view of a display device with parts broken away;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the radiating fan blade supporting means;

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3a3a of FIG.

FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3b-3b of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a vertical view of a modified form of a battery operated motor for the display device and embodying the invention,with parts broken away and in cross-section;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

Referring now in detail to the FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 3a and 3b of the drawing, 10 designates a display device embodying the invention. The display device 10 comprises a battery powered motor assembly 11. This assembly may be of a type manufactured by Hankscraft & Co., Display Motor Division, Reedsburg, Wisconsin.

Said motor assembly 11 comprises a cardboard tube 12 closed at its upper end by a metal conductor cap 13 clamped or crimped thereto by means of an annular rolled edge 14. The lower end of tube 12 is open. The inner surface of tube 12 is coated by a conductor 15 in-contact with cap 13. A tapered coil spring 16 is disposed at the upper end of tube 12 in contact with the underside of cap 13. In the tube 12 are a plurality of tandem arranged contacting dry cells 17 having anodes pointing downwardly. The cathode or casing of the uppermost cell contacts the spring 16. The anode or central button of the lowermost cell projects below the lower end of the tube 12.

Pivoted to diametrically opposed sides of the tube 12, above its lower ends, by means of grommets 20, 21, which contact the inner conductive coating 15, are a pair of longitudinal arms 22, 23, respectively, disposed outside of said tube. At the lower ends of arms 22, 23 are inwardly extending fingers 22a, 23a, respectively, fixed to an annular insulating disc 24, by grommets 26, 27, respectively. Fixed by grommet 26 to the top of said disc 24, is a conductor blade 28 overlying a vertical through hole 29 in the disc disposed at 90 from said grommet. Fixed to the top of disc 24 by a grommet 30 is a conductor 31 having a blade 32 overlying a vertical through hole 33 in the disc, which hole is located in diametrically opposed relation to opening 29. Fixed to conductor 31 is an upwardly bent horizontal spring finger 34 disposed centrally of the disc and adapted to be contacted by the anode of the lowermost dry cell 17, when the disc 24 is disposed below the tube I2.

At the underside of disc 24 is a battery operated motor 40. This motor may be an 8 RPM motor, if desired. The motor 40 has two terminals 41 and 42 projecting up into openings 29, 33, respectively, of the disc 24, and contacting blades 28 and 32, respectively. Motor 40 has a downwardly extending axial output shaft 45. The disc 24 is fixed to the upper end of the motor in any suitable manner.

The circuit for the motor passes from its terminal 41 to conductor 28, arm 22, grommet 20, inner coating 15, cap 13, spring 16, through the dry cells 17, to the anode of lowermost cell, to spring finger 34 to terminal 42. Arm 23 is not in the circuit. Slipped into tube 12 and extending over motor 40 is an outer non-conducting tube 50 which may be made of clipboard. The lower end of tube 50 rests on a pair of flanges SI disposed at the lower end of the casing for motor 40. Tube 50 keeps tube 12 and motor 40 coaxial. By lifting tube 50, above grommets 20, 21, the disc 24 and motor 40 may be swung about grommets 20, 21, out of axial alignment with respect to tube 12, to permit removal of dry cells 17 and replacement thereof.

A centering cup 52 may be gripped onto the upper end of tube 50. Caps 13 and 52 may have center holes for passage of a hang rod or wire 54 provided with a head 54a at its lower end, and with a hook or loop 54b at its upper end, by means of which to hang or suspend the motor from any suitable support or anchor. Tube 50 can be loose on tube 12 and may be of greater rigidity and length.

Slidably mounted on output shaft 45 is a metal sleeve 60 which can be fixed to said shaft at any desired height by a set screw 61. Sleeve 60 has a downwardly extending externally screw threaded reduced portion 62 forming an undershoulder. Mounted on sleeve 60 are a pair of crossing blade supporting members 65, 66.

Member 65 comprises a flat bar 67 having a central depressed, square portion 68 formed with a central hole through which the externally threaded portion 62 of sleeve 60 passes. Welded or otherwise attached to the outer ends of bar 67 are wire adaptors 70 each having an outer U-shaped portion 71 disposed at an inclination to the horizontal and vertical.

Member 66 is like member 65 except that the central portion of its bar is flat and fits into the depressed portion 68 of bar 67 to prevent rotation between members 65, 66. The central portion of bar of member 66 is on top of the central portion 68 of bar 67. The depression in bar 67 holds member 66 at right angles thereto. The central portion of the bar of member 66 also has a central hole through which the threaded portion 62 of sleeve 60 passes.

A wing nut 75 screwed to the lower end of screw portion 62 serves to clamp both bar members 65, 66 against the undershoulder of the sleeve and hence clamps said members to the output shaft 45 of the motor 40.

A fan blade simulating member is mounted on each U- shaped adaptor 71. Each fan blade may be hollow and made of sheet plastic. It can have any ornamental shape. It can carry the advertising matter at one or both of its opposite surfaces. The blade may be hollow and has an inner flat radial sleeve 81 through which the U-shaped wire adaptor 71 is slidably pushed. The fan blades are thus held in inclined position. The rotation of the fans is sufficiently slow to allow reading of the advertising matter on the blades.

The sleeve 60, the lower portion of tube 50, the clamped central portions of members 65, 66, may all be covered and concealed by means of hub housing. Such housing comprises a top conical hollow upper cover 85 resting on the members 65, 66 and having a central opening 86 at the top, and by a lower, conical hollow cover 87. Cover 87 has a central hole 88 through which the lower end of shaft 45 passes. A hub cap 89 frictionally fitted onto the lower ends of shaft 45, contacts the underside of cover 87 to hold it in place. The covers 85, 87 interfit and one or both are formed with notches for the radial wires of adaptors 70, so that said covers rotate with the fan blades.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 there is illustrated an advertising device a similar to device 10 except that the fan blades 80a thereof are made of double faced corrugated cardboard. The adaptors 70 are replaced by wire adaptors 70a having parallel straight wire portions 71a of different lengths which are pushed through the channels of corrugations between the opposite faces of the blades, to hold the blades on the adaptors.

The long wire 71a passes through a central hole, while the short wire 71a passes through another channel of the corrugated blade. Also the conical covers of device 10 are placed by a frusto-conical top cover 85a of cardboard and a flat bottom cardboard disc 87a which is held in place by the wing nut 75 screwed to screw threaded portion 62 which presses said disc against the lower bar 67 (FIG. 5). The cover 85a may be made from a fiat blank rolled into conical shape. One edge of the blank may have tabs 85b received in slots 850 in the opposite edge. The lower edge of the blank has notches to receive the wire adaptors. Wires 71a are located in incline planes so that the blades are also inclined.

The valve of this device as a fan is coincidental. The value has to be slow enough to enable the advertising matter on the fan blades to be read. The device does look like a fan however and has some value as a fan.

While the motor assembly 11 as heretofore described can be purchased, as stated above, FIGS. 6, 7, 8 show a construction modified in accordance with the invention herein.

In said figures, 90 designates the modified assembly. Said assembly 90, comprises an outer non-conducting tube 91 which is like tube 50, but has a hole 92 near its upper end. Mounted on said tube 91 is an on" and off switch 93 having a screw threaded sleeve 94 projecting through said opening 92. A push button 95 in sleeve 94 serves to change the switch alternately to on and off" positions, each time it is depressed, said bottom always moving back to extended normal position after each depression. Such structures are well known, one such being manufactured by Eagle Electric Mfg. Co., Inc. of Queens in New York City, New York.

A ferrule 96 screwed to the sleeve 94 holds the switch 93 on the tube 91. Attached to said switch are electric conducting wires 97, 98.

Within tube 91 is an inner tube 99 which may be like tube 12, but with modifications described hereinafter. Tube 99 is coated at its inner surface with a conducting layer 100 except at a pair of diametrically opposed spots or areas 101, 102, near the lower end of the tube. A metal cap 103 is crimped to the upper end of tube 99. Beneath the cap is a tapered coil spring 104. Within the tube are a plurality of dry cells 17 with all the anodes pointing downwardly, as in FIG. 2.

Grommets 105, 106 fixed to tube 99 at the conductorless areas 101, 102 of the tube, serve to hinge arms 22, 23 to the tube, same as in FIG. 2. Arms 22, 23 are attached to disc 24 carrying conductors 28, 31 similarly arranged as in FIGS. 2 and 3b.

A battery operated motor 40, same as in device 10, is attached to the underside of the disc 24 and its terminals 41, 42 engage conductors 28, 31, respectively.

Wire 98 is connected to grommet 105. Wire 97 is connected to grommet 108 passing through tube 99 and engaging the conductive inner coating 100. Grommet 108 is located at the same height as grommets 105, 106, but is spaced 90 angularly therefrom.

The anode of the lowermost cell 17 contacts the spring finger 34 while the cathode or casing of the uppermost cell 17 contacts the spring 104, which is a conductor.

When the switch 93 is in on" position, the motor 40 is energized by a circuit which passes from one motor terminal 41 to conductor 28, to arm 22, to wire 98, to closed switch 93, to wire 97, to inner conductor 100, to cap 103, to wire spring 104, to cathode of the uppermost cell, through all of said cells, to the anode of the lowermost cell, to spring finger 34 and conductor 32, to the other terminal 42 of motor.

Grommet 106 being connected to a portion 102 of the tube that is uncoated and arm 23, play no part in the circuit.

The output shaft 45 of the motor supports the fan blades in the manner of FIGS. 2 or 5. The housings 85, 87 or a, 87a may be applied in the manner described hereinabove.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an article in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative only.

What is claimed is:

1. An advertising device comprising a motor assembly, said assembly comprising an electric motor having an output shaft, said motor assembly being so constructed as to rotate the output shaft at approximately 8 revolutions per minute, a plurality of radiating arms, detachable means to removably attach said arms to said shaft for rotation therewith, fan blade simulating members, said arms comprising adaptors, said adaptors comprising male connecting members, said connecting members having a non-rotatable engagement with said fan blade similating members, each of said fan blade simulating members having opposed surfaces for advertising and being formed at one end with female socket means located between said surfaces, radially, frictionally, removably, slidably and nonrotatably receiving said adaptors to hold said members at predetermined angles, and extending radially outward relative to said shaft, whereby said members are readily detachable from said adaptors and whereby said advertising surfaces of said members are readable during rotation of said shaft and arms.

2. The combination of claim 1, said fan blade simulating members being disposed at angles inclined to a plane perpendicular to the axis of said output shaft.

3. The combination of claim 1, and advertising means carried on said opposed surfaces of said fan blade simulating members.

4. The combination of claim 1, said motor comprising a battery operated motor, and said assembly comprising a tube, a plurality of dry battery cells in said tube, means to attach said motor to said tube, and means connected to said tube to suspend said assembly from a support.

5. The combination of claim 4, and circuit means, including a switch mounted on the second tube, to turn the motor on and off.

6. The combination of claim 4, said radiating arms comprising a pair of crossing members having central, non-rotatably interengaging portions, said interengaging portions having registering openings, said means to detachably attach said arms to said output shaft comprising a sleeve on said output shaft, means to attach said sleeve to said output shaft, said sleeve having a reduced portion, said shaft and reduced portion passing through said registering openings, and a nut screwed onto said reduced portion and clamping said crossing members to said shoulder.

7. The combination of claim 6, and a housing enclosing said output shaft and sleeve and receiving the lower end of said tube, and means to removably hold said housing on said output shaft for rotation therewith.

8. The combination of claim 1, said radiating arms comprising a pair of crossing members having central, non-rotatably interengaging disengageable portions, said crossing members being disengageable from each other.

9. The combination of claim 8, said interengaging portions having registering openings, said means to attach said arms to said output shaft comprising a sleeve on said output shaft, means to attach said sleeve to said output shaft, said sleeve having a reduced externally threaded portion forming a shoulder, said shaft and reduced portion passing through said registering openings, and a nut screwed onto said reduced portion and clamping said crossing members to said shoulder.

10. The combination of claim 9, a housing enclosing said output shaft and sleeve, and means to removably hold said housing on said output shaft for rotation therewith.

11. The combination of claim 10, said housing comprising an upper annular hollow member open at its underside, and a lower member closing the underside of said upper hollow member.

12. The combination of claim 11, said radiating arms passing through said housing.

13. The combination of claim 12, said adaptors each comprising a pair of parallel wire rod portions and said receiving means comprising openings receiving said parallel rod portions.

14. The combination of claim 1, said motor comprising a battery operated motor.

15. The combination of claim 14, and on" and "off" switch means on said motor assembly, to control said motor.

16. The combination of claim 1, said adaptors each comprising a pair of parallel wire rod portions and said receiving means comprising openings receiving said parallel rod portions. 

1. An advertising device comprising a motor assembly, said assembly comprising an electric motor having an output shaft, said motor assembly being so constructed as to rotate the output shaft at approximately 8 revolutions per minute, a plurality of radiating arms, detachable means to removably attach said arms to said shaft for rotation therewith, fan blade simulating members, said arms comprising adaptors, said adaptors comprising male connecting members, said connecting members having a nonrotatable engagement with said fan blade similating members, each of said fan blade simulating members having opposed surfaces for advertising and being formed at one end witH female socket means located between said surfaces, radially, frictionally, removably, slidably and non-rotatably receiving said adaptors to hold said members at predetermined angles, and extending radially outward relative to said shaft, whereby said members are readily detachable from said adaptors and whereby said advertising surfaces of said members are readable during rotation of said shaft and arms.
 2. The combination of claim 1, said fan blade simulating members being disposed at angles inclined to a plane perpendicular to the axis of said output shaft.
 3. The combination of claim 1, and advertising means carried on said opposed surfaces of said fan blade simulating members.
 4. The combination of claim 1, said motor comprising a battery operated motor, and said assembly comprising a tube, a plurality of dry battery cells in said tube, means to attach said motor to said tube, and means connected to said tube to suspend said assembly from a support.
 5. The combination of claim 4, and circuit means, including a switch mounted on the second tube, to turn the motor ''''on'''' and ''''off''''.
 6. The combination of claim 4, said radiating arms comprising a pair of crossing members having central, non-rotatably interengaging portions, said interengaging portions having registering openings, said means to detachably attach said arms to said output shaft comprising a sleeve on said output shaft, means to attach said sleeve to said output shaft, said sleeve having a reduced portion, said shaft and reduced portion passing through said registering openings, and a nut screwed onto said reduced portion and clamping said crossing members to said shoulder.
 7. The combination of claim 6, and a housing enclosing said output shaft and sleeve and receiving the lower end of said tube, and means to removably hold said housing on said output shaft for rotation therewith.
 8. The combination of claim 1, said radiating arms comprising a pair of crossing members having central, non-rotatably interengaging disengageable portions, said crossing members being disengageable from each other.
 9. The combination of claim 8, said interengaging portions having registering openings, said means to attach said arms to said output shaft comprising a sleeve on said output shaft, means to attach said sleeve to said output shaft, said sleeve having a reduced externally threaded portion forming a shoulder, said shaft and reduced portion passing through said registering openings, and a nut screwed onto said reduced portion and clamping said crossing members to said shoulder.
 10. The combination of claim 9, a housing enclosing said output shaft and sleeve, and means to removably hold said housing on said output shaft for rotation therewith.
 11. The combination of claim 10, said housing comprising an upper annular hollow member open at its underside, and a lower member closing the underside of said upper hollow member.
 12. The combination of claim 11, said radiating arms passing through said housing.
 13. The combination of claim 12, said adaptors each comprising a pair of parallel wire rod portions and said receiving means comprising openings receiving said parallel rod portions.
 14. The combination of claim 1, said motor comprising a battery operated motor.
 15. The combination of claim 14, and ''''on'''' and ''''off'''' switch means on said motor assembly, to control said motor.
 16. The combination of claim 1, said adaptors each comprising a pair of parallel wire rod portions and said receiving means comprising openings receiving said parallel rod portions. 